Manny Pacquiao is in need of one more sparring partner who can emulate the style of his opponent, Brandon Rios, even as his trainer Freddie Roach said that the former pound-for-pound king has gained the momentum in his quest to regain lost glory after a forgettable 2012 when he lost two successive fights, including a shocking knock-out to nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez.
PhilBoxing.com is reporting that the Filipino boxing superstar is looking for one more sparring partner whose boxing style resembles that of Brandon Rios. The website quoted trainer Freddie Roach as saying that "the momentum is already there" in assessing the training of Pacquiao in his hometown of General Santos City in southern Philippines.
Pacquiao has been sparring with three boxers- Liam Vaughan of Ireland, Fredrick Lawson of Ghana and countryman Dan Nazareno. Vaughan and Nazareno have impressed Pacquiao's camp with their power while Lawson provides the quickness and fluidity, traits of Rios that Roach and company feel they will have to be wary of.
Former boxing champion and compatriot Gerry Penalosa is being tasked by Pacquiao's camp to find a new sparring partner and hinted that an up-and-coming American welterweight may join the training camp and prepare Pacquiao for his fight on November 24 in Macau.
The only man to win world titles in eight different divisions, Pacquiao is eager to score a convincing win against Rios to establish his reputation as one of the sports' elite boxers. A loss, on the other hand, will further pull his popularity and ranking and could potentially signal the end for one of this generation's greatest fighters.
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